Baby Activity and Stimulation

Provided by Huggies Baby Network

The nature vs. nurture debate is over and everybody wins: scientists now know that a baby's environment has a big impact on how his brain will be wired for life. In fact, the activities you do to stimulate your baby's brain spark the foundation for learning.

At birth a baby's brain contains all the neurons it will ever have – about 100 billion – but the connections these neurons make depend on sensory experiences in the first three years, according to information from the American Association for Gifted Children at Duke University.

Neurologists and scientists who study the brain say the more a baby is stimulated, the more connections – or synapses – his brain will make. Repetition causes unused synapses to become permanent while unused synapses eventually fizzle out.

So what can you do as a new mother to stimulate your baby's brain? Experts suggest developing a daily playbook of activities that use the senses of sight, smell, sound and touch to reinforce connections (see suggestions below). However, don't use television to stimulate your baby's brain. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no TV for children less than two years old because this is such a critical time for brain development.

Understanding cause and effect is also very important to babies. A rattle or a pop-up toy can be entertaining and make her feel empowered. However, a baby's favorite thing to look at is a face, says Gail Bennett, a hospital specialist with infants and toddlers. "Babies need to see people and make strong attachments to feel confident to explore their world. You are your baby's favorite toy."

Remember, babies have short attention spans and will let you know if they're tired of the activity. If your baby isn't enjoying the activity, stop and attend to his needs. You can always try again later. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Sight: Babies have a definite preference for high-contrast images. Surf the web for black-and-white templates to print from your computer and slip these into quart-sized Ziploc bags. You can tape one inside your baby's crib and change it daily for a stimulating environment, or slowly move it in front of baby's eyes from left to right. This exercise will help your baby use both eyes together and track a moving object.
• Smell: Cut a slot in the top of a plastic container and place a strong-smelling item-such as a lemon wedge or garlic clove-inside for the baby to smell while you're cooking. Clichés exist for good reason: when you're strolling outside, take time to smell the roses!
• Sound: Music is very important for babies, but it shouldn't be on all the time. Use soothing music at naptime, upbeat music for exercise, or introduce culturally diverse music to let children hear different sounds. Hold your baby and dance or gently rock to music; this type of movement is very comforting because it's what she experienced in the womb. Read and talk to your baby to help her develop language; teach favorite songs such as, "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" and "I'm a Little Teapot."
• Touch: For a sweet bonding experience, use baby oil to gently massage your baby. Begin by laying her on her back; start rubbing her arms and hands in circular movements, then legs and feet, then belly. Turn her over and massage her back and bottom. From three to six months of age, it's important for a baby to have plenty of time on her stomach to exercise her neck muscles and begin to reach for objects. When she is fully walking, take her outside on a warm day in bare feet and let her use the hose. She'll have fun watering the lawn and feeling the soft grass under her feet.